Reverend Kingsnake Amplifier Owner's Manual
CAUTION!
• Do not open amp chassis - risk of fatal electrical shock.
• No user-serviceable parts inside amp.
• Never operate in damp or wet conditions.
• Tube and chassis surfaces very hot.
• High volume use can cause permanent hearing damage - always use ear protection.
SET-UP PROCEDURE
INSTALL POWER TUBES - To prevent damage, power tubes are shipped in boxes inside cabinet.
• Lay amp face down on non-damaging surface. Be sure amp is unplugged.
• Unscrew and remove back panel.
• Install power tubes. Alignment pin protruding from center of tube MUST align with hole in tube socket - pin has
ridge that MUST align with groove in socket hole. Push tubes in firmly.
• Re-mount back panel.
POWER UP AMP - Plug in amp. Turn VOL all the way down. Make sure speaker is connected to speaker jack.
Turn amp on. Amp is now ready to use.
READ ENTIRE OWNER'S MANUAL BEFORE OPERATING! - Please read manual carefully to achieve
maximum performance and maintain safe operation of your amp.
FRONT CONTROL PANEL
POWER - Powers amp. WARNING: Always have a speaker connected to the amp before turning on, otherwise
serious damage could occur to amp! VOL should be turned all the way down before turning amp on or off. Leave
amp on during short break periods, simply turn off the volume on your guitar or amp.
STANDBY - Introduces high voltage to the power tubes. When turning amp ON use POWER switch first, wait 15 minutes, then turn on STANDBY switch. When turning amp OFF use STANDBY switch first, wait 1-5 minutes,
then turn off POWER switch. Leave both switches on during short break periods, simply turn off the volume on
your guitar or amp.
SCHIZO - Can be switched while amp is on.
US - Transparent midrange with strong bass and treble for
classic American clean and light overdrive.
LO-FI - Softer treble and stronger midrange, for a bluesy grind
reminiscent of vintage off-brand American amps.
UK - Even more gain with a distinctly British upper-mid peak for
classic blues-rock and hard-rock crunch.
GAIN - Controls the amount of overdrive. Higher settings produce more distortion, lower settings produce a
cleaner sound. GAIN will affect the volume level, but this can be adjusted with the VOL control.
VOL - Controls the overall volume. For the cleanest possible sound set VOL to maximum and use the GAIN
control as your volume control.
TREB - Controls treble frequencies. TREB control is more responsive when the MID control is at lower settings.
MID - Controls midrange frequencies. Higher settings produce a harder sound with more clarity. Lower settings
produce a softer more transparent sound.
BASS - Controls bass frequencies. To maintain clarity, BASS should be reduced when playing at higher
volumes, using an extension cabinet, or using a guitar with humbucker pickups.
PRES - Controls frequencies above the TREB frequencies. Controls the amount of "chime" and "sparkle".
REV - Controls the amount of reverb. Higher settings will introduce some hum.
REAR CONTROL PANEL
20-60 WATT SWITCH - Selectable output wattage. 20 watt allows amp to overdrive at a lower volume, 60 watt
allows for maximum clean sound and increases bass response. Can be switched while amp is on.
EFFECTS LOOP - (passive loop: 0 db cut/boost) For use with rackmount style effects units. Run instrument
cable from SEND to input of effects unit. Then run second instrument cable from output of effects unit into
RETURN. Note: Some effects may operate better when used in the front panel input.
EFFECTS SEND - (to second amp) - Run instrument cable from SEND of first amp into RETURN of second
amp. First amp will control both amps, using the power section of the second amp in addition to the first amp.
Only the presence and wattage controls on the second amp will be operational.
FUSE - Unplug amp when replacing fuse. Use fuse type shown only. Use FAST BLO fuse only. NEVER replace
with higher amp fuse. If fuse fails repeatedly, amp may require new power tubes or servicing.
SPEAKER OUTPUTS
• ONLY use SPEAKER cable (16 gauge or thicker recommended). Use of instrument cable will damage amp.
• Ohm rating of speaker or cabinet MUST MATCH output jack used. 112 combo speaker is 8 ohm.
• Cabinets with different ohm ratings can be used at the same time, as long as the ohm rating of each cabinet
matches the ohm rating of each jack.
• When using two cabinets that have the same ohm rating, a Y adapter (see reverendguitars.com) must be used
to run both cabinets into one jack. Total ohm rating will then equal half of one cabinet (example: two 8 ohm
cabinets will equal 4 ohms, so use the 4 ohm jack with a Y adapter).
• Extension cabinets are available from Reverend and are recommended to increase volume, bass response
and clean headroom.
TUBES
CAUTION! Tube surfaces very hot! Always shut off amp and allow tubes to cool before handling!
PRE-AMP TUBES - (the four small tubes) Use 12AX7 type only. Replace when noisy or malfunctioning. Tubes
are available from Reverend.
1st PRE-AMP TUBE - This is the tube farthest to the right when facing the back of the amp. 12AX7 is stock,
however a 12AT7 tube may be substituted for more clean headroom.
POWER TUBES - (the two large tubes) Use 6L6 type ONLY. Replace when amp sounds too soft, lacks clarity
and volume, or if tubes are noisy or malfunctioning. Tubes are available from Reverend.
BIASING - For maximum performance amp should be biased by a qualified technician when installing new
power tubes. Re-bias may not be required if replacing tubes with identical brand and rating as old tubes.
However, bias setting can drift and should be checked periodically.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Hum - Some hum is normal when the VOL or REV is over 50%. This will be noticeable in a small quiet room.
However, excessive hum can be caused by electronic devices located near the amp or on the same circuit such
as fridges, fluorescent lights, computers, light dimmers, aquarium pumps, etc. Hum can vary with different
outlets, rooms or buildings.
Reverb Tank - The reverb tank should NOT be mounted tight to the cabinet. A small amount of freeplay is
required to prevent vibration feedback.
SAMPLE SETTINGS:
• Settings are recommended for combo amp with wattage switch in high position. Low wattage position may
require increased BASS.
• Use with extension cabinet may require increased TREB and reduced BASS.
• Use at higher volume or with humbucker pickups may require reduced BASS to maintain clarity.
• Sample settings are intended as close approximations, not exact duplications of the classic tones listed.